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Solar-Powered Retreat With Recycled Water and Community Shelters

Authors:
Laura Mura, Caterina Di giorgio
Solar-Powered Retreat With Recycled Water and Community Shelters

Project in-detail

Equipped with a wind turbine and an innovative solar film system, the bike hive offers cyclists a sustainable and functional retreat along their journey, complete with essential amenities for rest and bike repair.
5 key facts about this project
01
Equipped with a roof-mounted wind turbine providing renewable energy for amenities.
02
Includes adaptable living units that resemble beehive cells for efficient space use.
03
Features an integrated information panel for navigation, visible from a distance.
04
Utilizes a solar film system to provide recycled and heated water.
05
Designed to adjust to various terrains, ensuring consistent functionality for cyclists.

The bike hive design serves cyclists along the EuroVelo 6 route in Northern Europe. It is positioned to offer support and amenities for travelers, combining practical features with a welcoming design. The structure acts as a resting area and repair station, essential for enhancing the cycling experience. Multifunctional spaces allow travelers to recuperate and connect with one another in a friendly environment.

Concept and Functionality

The bike hive is built with cyclists in mind. It includes areas for resting and bike repairs, promoting a sense of community among users. The layout encourages interaction while providing necessary facilities that make the journey more enjoyable for everyone.

Structural Adaptability

A key feature of the bike hive is its ability to adapt to different terrains. This flexible structure can adjust itself to various landscapes found along the cycling route. Such adaptability ensures that it remains useful and effective, no matter the environment, providing consistent support for travelers.

Sustainable Technologies

Sustainability plays an important role in the bike hive's design. A wind turbine on the roof supplies power to essential features, such as Wi-Fi and USB charging ports. This setup allows cyclists to stay connected while on the move. Additionally, the bathroom module harnesses recycled and heated water, thanks to a solar film, showing a commitment to reducing environmental impact.

Visual Integration

The design of the bike hive reflects the architectural style of small towns nearby, helping it blend into its surroundings. This visual harmony creates a welcoming atmosphere for cyclists, allowing them to feel a sense of belonging. Elements such as the integrated information panel on the roof enhance the overall experience by providing guidance and connectivity for travelers as they navigate their routes.

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MICROHOME 10: Celebrating Small-Scale Living with €100,000 Prize Fund and Kingspan’s Innovation

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Competition organisers

The MICROHOME 10 competition invites participants to submit visionary designs for off-grid, modular microhomes that push the limits of sustainable, small-scale living. Organised by Buildner in partnership with Kingspan and Hapi Homes, this tenth edition sets the challenge of designing a dwelling for two people within a maximum floor area of 25 m², encouraging bold solutions adaptable to any urban or rural location. The competition continues Buildner’s mission to foster innovative approaches to compact, energy-efficient housing that can address pressing global challenges.

This year’s edition offers a generous total prize fund of €100,000, including the Kingspan Award for designs that integrate high-performance Kingspan products and the Hapi Homes Award for a project selected for real-world construction. In addition to cash prizes, the winners gain international exposure through Buildner’s media partnerships, publications, and a dedicated MICROHOME magazine, further amplifying their ideas to the wider architectural community.

Key dates for MICROHOME 10 include the closing date for registration on 25 September 2025, the submission deadline on 29 October 2025 (11:59 p.m. London time), and the announcement of winners on 9 December 2025. These milestones ensure participants have clear timelines to develop and present their concepts, with early registration discounts available to support students and emerging designers worldwide.

MICROHOME

Design a new small-scale home concept in the 10th edition of MICROHOME — 100,000 € prize + construction

100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #10 ideas COMPETITION
Prize 100,000 € + Potential realisation
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 25 September 2025

Enter an open architecture
competition now

Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
100,000€ Prize / 2025
Denver Affordable Housing Challenge
Denver Affordable Housing Challenge
Affordable Housing Series 19th Edition
The Architect's 
Chair
The Architect's Chair
Take a seat and make a statement! Edition #4
MICROHOME
MICROHOME
100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #10
Kinderspace
Kinderspace
Architecture for Children’s Development #3
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